CECE and CEMA Optimising our industry 2 reduce emissions.

Transcription

1 CECE and CEMA Optimising our industry 2 reduce emissions.

2 Introduction Agricultural and construction machinery users are key contributors to the achievement of a globally competitive sustainable business sector. Fuel is one of the highest input costs the sector faces and therefore there is constant pressure on machinery manufacturers to achieve efficiency improvements which result in a reduction in fuel consumption and consequent reduction in CO 2 emissions. Unlike the automotive sector fuel consumption is always related to the output achieved by the work done. Therefore simply reducing the size of engines or machines is not an option. Indeed, it is often far more efficient to increase the size/power of machines to gain an overall reduction in CO 2 emissions. The following examples show how through innovation, rather than regulation, significant reductions in CO 2 emissions are being achieved and the ongoing competitive nature of the market will continue to drive further efficiency improvements through innovative solutions. These achievements are based on the 4 pillars shown in the diagram below: Market Pressure Machine Efficiency Optimisation of engine, transmission, hydraulics, tyres, etc. Process Efficiency Selecting the best machine or combination of machines for the application. The use of latest technology. e.g. GPS Operation Efficiency Training of machine operators and providing enhanced information to minimise fuel used to complete the work. Alternative Energy Sources Use of biofuels, electric drives, solar panels, hybrid drives, etc. Innovation by all manufacturers resulting in CO 2 reduction 2 CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions

3 Machine Ef fi ci e n c y Examples Intelligent load adaptation for compaction rollers Automatic blade-sharpening Efficient backhoe loaders travelling on the road Smart power management of drilling rigs Full-Semi hybrid systems for machine and implement enhanced efficiency Torque converters and alternative braking systems Drive train optimisation Weight balancing boosting traction

4 Machine Efficiency Intelligent load adaption for compaction rollers Cutting the fuel consumption of compaction rollers by altering the impact they produce on the ground according to analysis of the force required. Compaction roller designers have identified significant potential to save fuel by adjusting the load imposed by the roller on the ground below it according to the force which is required. This system of load adaption technology links the hydraulic function of a compaction roller with the engine that powers the machine to form an intelligently-controlled operation system which determines the load needed, and hence adapts the load delivered. A form of active energy management, this provides the roller with power only when required, and reduces the power input when conditions permit on ground that is already firm. An intelligent sensor system instantly and continuously calculates the power required by the roller s hydraulic system in respect of the surface on which it is working, and automatically adjusts the engine speed to account for this. It is this that directly results in the machine s lower fuel consumption. Tests show that compaction rollers fitted with intelligent load adaptation use 20% less fuel to achieve the same amount of work. 4 CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions

5 Machine Efficiency Automatic blade-sharpening Development of a blade-sharpening system that operates automatically, so that the forage wagon (grass harvester) to which the blades are attached always cuts as cleanly as possible. Sharp knives minimise energy consumption. Cattle require preserved grass to consume through the winter, when grass growth in the fields ceases. The most common way to collect and store this is to make silage. Grass is chopped into short lengths so that, when stored in a pit or silo, it can be easily compacted. The energy required to chop grass is directly related to the sharpness of the blades used. Traditionally it has been necessary to regularly remove the blades from a forage in order to sharpen them, and so keep the machine running at peak performance and lowest fuel consumption. Recent advances mean that sharpening of the blades can now be carried out with them in situ, with machine design incorporating a sharpener that works on an automatic cycle. This ensures that the blades are always as sharp as possible, and so fuel consumption in this respect is as low as it can possibly be. Forage wagons fitted with automatic blade sharpening systems have been shown to have a 15% lower power requirement and consume 5.0 l/hr less fuel than comparable machines without the system. CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions 5

6 Machine Efficiency Efficient backhoe loaders travelling on the road Reducing the fuel consumption of backhoe loaders by disconnecting hydraulic functions. Backhoe loaders, machines that incorporate rear-mounted booms for digging and front-mounted loaders for moving materials, provide the main source of power for a multitude of construction applications. They can be moved on the public highway between sites under their own power. Backhoe loader designers have introduced a number of features to reduce fuel consumption during road travel. One of the major developments has been a feature which allows the engine to directly drive the gearbox, eliminating power wastage. Another has been a hydraulic speed control system which automatically disconnects the first hydraulic pump when in the top road gear, meaning that fuel is not powering hydraulic functions when on the road, when they are not needed. The system reduces fuel consumption by up to 25%, whilst at the same time increasing both road speed and working range by up to 10%. 6 CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions

7 Machine Efficiency Smart power management of drilling rigs Reducing fuel use by adapting the power provided to holeboring drilling rigs according to the operating conditions in which they are working. Drilling rigs, the machines used to bore holes in the ground for a multitude of different construction tasks, use at least two main hydraulic circuits, usually powered by variable-displacement pumps, with the pump power regulators set to a fixed ratio, usually providing 50% of the engine power to each of the pumps. Depending on the drilling task, the hydraulic loads vary over a wide pressure and flow range, and each pump has to serve multiple hydraulic demands simultaneously. To minimise the power these demand and the fuel consumed, a new control device enables the pump with the higher load to receive the engine power the pump with the lower load doesn t need. If an additional load like a water flushing pump is switched on occasionally during drilling, the appropriate required power will be automatically deducted from one of the pumps. On electrically-controlled drill rigs, the system is optimised by monitoring the various hydraulic load consumers. The system offers the potential to make fuel savings of between 5% and 15%, depending on the work in hand. CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions 7

8 Machine Efficiency Full-Semi hybrid systems for machine and implement enhanced efficiency Fuel consumption and carbon emissions are reduced on both tractors and on large-scale construction equipment through the use of electric drive systems. The efficiency of diesel engines as power sources on large machines is improved when they are integrated with electric generation capability on many machines. One method used allows for operation at a steady state without wide variations in engine speed, creating electricity that is then used to power motors for machine propulsion or for auxiliary systems. Operating at or near peak efficiency range allows for large reductions in fuel consumption and exhaust emissions without compromising operator or machine productivity. This benefit varies with machine form and with work load profile. Machines with variable and repeatable working cycles will see the most benefits from this approach. In agricultural machines, new energy management and drive systems are being used to power electrically-driven implements, improving fuel efficiency by optimising adjustment and operation independently of the diesel engine powering the machine, which therefore operates more economically. Fuel savings of up to 20% have been identified by large construction machines incorporating dieselelectrical generators running at a steady state. Further use of electrification could boost this figure to 30% by eliminating the mechanical driveline and integrating an energy storage system. In agricultural machines, fuel savings of up to 10% have been identified from various integrated use of electrical power. 8 CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions

9 Machine Efficiency Torque converters and alternative braking systems Boosting fuel efficiency by avoiding braking with the torque converter. Torque converters are particularly suited to high-capacity machines such as wheeled loaders, which are often used for digging into piles of loose material and then moving heavy loads. They work by transferring power hydraulically, with the engine powering an oil pump which, by way of a turbine, then transfers drive to the transmission. A drive clutch mechanically locks the pump rotator and the turbine rotator to eliminate power losses. In short cycle loading moving material from a heap to a nearby lorry, for example a forward/reverse shuttle lever can be used to change direction without applying the brakes, the torque converter handling the deceleration. However, this method results in energy loss and places a lot of strain on the converter due to heat transfer. It is possible to use a braking feature that automatically assists machine deceleration by using the standard service brake instead of the torque converter. This provides a smoother deceleration and direction change, and since the converter is no longer used for braking, not only is converter wear reduced, but fuel use is too. Fuel savings on machines fitted with this system working in loading and carrying applications can be as high as 15%. CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions 9

10 Machine Efficiency Drive train optimisation Optimising the drive train efficiency of a tracked machine. During the most frequent operations of tracked dozers, from travelling to dozing, an automatic locking function routes the engine power directly to the transmission, bypassing the torque converter, to prevent power loss. In large dozers, and also in wheel loaders, all functions can be powered by a hydrostatic travel drive which is continuously adjustable, allowing high efficiency over the whole speed range, based on optimal drive adjustment, and allowing the use of fewer moving parts. Over time, transmissions for these vehicles have changed to much more efficient systems, from the single sliding gear type to the electro-hydraulic and power shift and finally to the Continuous Variable Transmission. The efficiency management strategies possible with CVT are constant gear ratio, constant engine RPM, constant speed, economy mode and automatic full power control. For tracked dozers, bypassing the torque converter results in a 10% increase in efficiency. Using a hydrostatic travel drive in large dozers up to 50 tonnes could cut fuel consumption by 15%. Research has shown that for wheel loaders the fuel savings range from 20 to 40%. In tractors with CVT transmissions, fuel reductions up to 10% can be observed depending on the working application. 10 CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions

11 Machine Efficiency Weight balancing boosting traction To improve traction and fuel efficiency by transferring the weight of semi-mounted machines from the implement to the rear axle of the tractor. The weight of machines that can be mounted on a tractor and lifted fully by it can be used to improve traction, and therefore fuel efficiency, when working the soil. The weight carried by the tractor acts on the wheels and improves their traction. But wider machines must be trailed, and so lose this benefit. To account for this, a traction-boosting system has been developed to shift part of trailed implements weight to the tractor, and from the tractor s front axle onto the rear axle, creating an intelligent weight transfer system only provided when required in the field. This cuts wheel slip, boosting traction and therefore fuel efficiency, and allowing lighter, more economical tractors to be used for deep soil cultivation. This system significantly reduces wheel slip. Working speed can be increased, tractor performance remains more constant, and up to 20% energy can be saved. CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions 11

12 Process Ef fi ci e n c y Examples Intelligent reduction of field passes Cold recycling process for road repairs New tillage methods Automatic machine controls and guidance Precision farming Optimizing fleet utilisation

13 Process Efficiency Intelligent reduction of field passes Reducing the number of passes tractors make in the field. New implement designs and combinations of implements can be used to cut the number of passes necessary to complete a task, such as planting potatoes, sowing cereals or cutting and drying grass. This may be done with one machine, or a combination of machines mounted front and rear on one tractor. Certain types of seed drill, for example, can sow fertiliser at the same time. Other machines work in tandem, carrying out operations front and rear. These require sophisticated controls to co-ordinate them. Communication through a data communication system with the tractor can allow such control. Combined with the use of minimum tillage to reduce or eliminate fuelhungry deep cultivations, the use of the right equipment and combined implement systems can, depending on conditions, cut fuel consumption in half. In some cases potato land preparation, for example, there is also the benefit of reduced soil erosion because the land does not remain uncultivated during winter. Combining field processes can result in a potential fuel consumption savings up to 50%. Replacing four tractors pulling 3m implements with two larger ones pulling 6m machines cut overall tractor travel by 25% to complete the same job, reducing fuel consumption also by 25%. CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions 13

14 Process Efficiency Cold recycling process for road repairs Recycling of asphalt when repairing roads and pavements to reduce the need to transport new materials. When laying asphalt, a cold recycler granulates the existing pavement material while homogeneously mixing in binding agents and water at the same time. This method produces a new construction material mix in just one single machine pass. Cold recyclers are equipped with powerful milling and mixing rotors and with highly efficient injection systems. Some machine models are additionally fitted with paving screeds for placing and pre-compacting the new material mix. This method produces base layers of high load-bearing capacity. This cold recycling process requires only small quantities of new construction materials, which saves precious natural resources and considerably reduces the number of material loads that need to be transported to the job site. In addition, as the construction materials do not require heating, cold recycling consumes less energy. Cold recycling has been shown to produce up to 68% less CO 2 when compared to conventional road repair procedures. 14 CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions

15 Process Efficiency New tillage methods Reducing the amount of fuel per hectare needed to establish a crop by disturbing only the portion of the soil in which the crop will grow. Traditional cultivation using ploughs requires considerable power, and hence considerable quantities of fuel. New crop establishment techniques plant seed directly into the ground or use shallow-working cultivators instead to disturb the soil far less, using less power and less fuel as a consequence. They also reduce the number of field passes necessary to make a seedbed. In order to make these reduced cultivations possible, manufacturers of other machinery also play a part. Most combine harvesters, for example, now incorporate a straw chopper which processes unneeded straw into small fragments, improving its distribution across the field and eliminating the need for it to be removed. Seed drill manufacturers have developed a new technique known as strip-till, where only the rows of soil where the plants will grow are cultivated, with the strips in between, which represent 80% of the total field area, left undisturbed. This means less power/fuel is required to establish the crop, and can allow wider machinery to be used, thus completing field tasks in fewer passes. A further advantage is a reduction in soil erosion, with previous crop roots remaining relatively undisturbed, and hence binding the soil together. Reducing the number of field passes necessary to plant a crop can reduce fuel use by 50%, depending upon the systems used. Strip-tillage disturbs only the soil needed for the seed rows, leaving 80% untouched, with consequent fuel use benefits. CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions 15

16 Process Efficiency Automatic machine controls and guidance The use of automatic machine control and guidance systems to improve accuracy when grading land for new roads. Machine control and guidance products are tools that combine digital design data, in-cab operator guidance, and automatic blade controls. Bulldozer manufacturers now produce machines which have five different systems offering varying levels and combinations of automatic cross-slope and elevation control. From machine-mounted sensors and ultrasonic technology to GPS and laser guidance, machine controls and guidance products use high precision to deliver high productivity. In a study, two identical roads were built, one created the conventional way, with stakes on the ground for guidance, and the other the new way, using the machine controls and guidance systems. The road built with the machine controls and guidance systems was constructed in exactly half the time, with finished design accuracy within tolerance 98% of the time, compared with 45%. Accuracy was also more consistent, resulting in better quality, resulting logically in material savings. Achieving the final design in less time and with considerably fewer passes resulted in 43% fuel savings. 16 CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions

17 Process Efficiency Precision farming The adoption of advanced GPS technology and sensor technology to reduce overlaps and misses in fieldwork and hence maximise efficient use of fuel, seeds, fertiliser and other crop inputs. Data gained by sensor technology that measures crops nutrient needs based on their colour combined with GPS data make it possible to create maps based on results of soil analyses and yields. The use of these overlaying maps leads to more efficient and therefore reduced application of fertilizers and plant protection products. Even greater efficiencies can be achieved by using GPS to steer tractors with accuracies down to 2.5cm, minimising overlaps and misses when applying fertilisers and crop protection products, as well as cutting fuel use when performing tasks such as cultivation. An average reduction in overlapping means up to 15% savings in fuel and inputs such as seeds and fertiliser. The accuracy of GPS technology also allows new field practices to be adopted, such as strip-till (only cultivating the portion of the soil that is to contain the seed row) or controlled traffic farming (reducing soil compaction by using the same tractor paths year-on-year). Every tractor pass with a cultivator is completed at the fullest possible width with no misses or overlaps, using the pass-to-pass accuracy of GPS guided auto-steering, has been shown to cut fuel consumption by 15% and the time taken to cover a hectare of land by 16%. CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions 17

18 Process Efficiency Optimising fleet utilisation Better management of overall machine flow and utilisation leads to improved productivity and lower fuel consumption. Monitoring systems can be installed on both construction site vehicles and on working sites. By utilising GPS input, machine position can be tracked and a wireless radio network can allow the machines to communicate with the base office. This technology allows machines to be co-ordinated and routed in the most efficient manner. By generating assignments for each machine that take into account all the other machine tasks, this management control system can manage overall traffic flow, thus optimising the movement of the machines, while meeting the site production goals. Operational considerations such as fuel consumption can be incorporated into these systems. The result is a more streamlined, efficient operation, translating directly into fewer machines needed for the same amount of work performed, less idling time and lower CO 2 emissions. Using this technology to monitor machines across a job site can reasonably achieve increases of 10-15% in productivity, with the same, or lower, fuel consumption. 18 CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions

19 Operation Ef fi ci e n c y Examples Fuel saving operating mode selector/automatic deceleration control Correct tyre pressure Inform, train and teach correct machine use Inform, train and teach in process management

20 Operation Efficiency Fuel saving operating mode selector/ automatic deceleration control To improve the fuel efficiency of bulldozers. To enable him to operate in the most fuel efficient mode, the bulldozer operator can choose between two operating modes, one for work where capacity counts and the emphasis is on working speed and power, and another designed for fuel saving, for the operation being performed. An eco gauge can be displayed on the monitor screen to help the driver operate the machine in an environmentally-aware and energy-saving way. To further reduce fuel use and reduce operating noise, an idling caution is displayed on the monitor screen whenever the machine is left idling for more than five minutes. A few seconds after placing the operation lever in neutral, the automatic deceleration control decreases the engine rpm to prevent unnecessary fuel consumption. Idling system and choice of operating modes results in a fuel efficiency improvement of up to 10%. 20 CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions

21 Operation Efficiency Correct tyre pressure Providing information on tyre selection and inflation to help machine buyers maximise tyre life and limit fuel consumption. Tyre pressure control systems mean tractor tyre pressures can be increased on the road, where a firm tyre is required for good fuel efficiency and handling, and reduced in the field. With lower pressures more tyre is placed in contact with the ground, meaning less energy loss through slip, therefore ensuring more effective tractor traction power and less soil compaction. Ultra-low pressure tyres provide not only a low slip rate but also a low rolling resistance, meaning productivity and fuel savings. In construction machinery, studies have proven the impact tyre selection has on efficient backhoe loader operation. On soft ground a traction tyre is best; for hard ground, an industrial tyre is preferable. Using the wrong tyre, pressure setting or ply can significantly increase fuel consumption and replacement frequency. Informing and educating operators about tyre selection has also significantly reduced overall machine running cost. Lower fuel consumption from fitting the correct tyres and operating them as recommended also leads to significantly lower CO 2 emissions. The use of the correct tyres on a backhoe loader can reduce fuel consumption by up to 10% and widen replacement intervals by up to 30%. Varying the tyre pressures between field and road on an agricultural tractor both protects the soil and improves fuel efficiency by up to 30%. CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions 21

22 Operation Efficiency Inform, train and teach correct machine use To help all who work in construction, from managers to machine operators, select the right machine for the task and operate it as efficiently as possible, saving fuel and cutting CO 2 emissions as a result. Training classes offered at manufacturers factories or the customer s workplace help to educate machine owners and operators in choosing the correct machine for the job in hand. Additionally, each customer receives training in machine operation and application specifics when a new machine is delivered. Aspects include the most efficient way to complete a task, as well as the economic operation of the machine. One large construction company which uses 10 million litres of diesel to power its machine every year has lowered consumption by around five per cent. Not only does that save the business about , but it also cuts CO 2 output by around 500 tonnes. Eco driving operating machines at the forward speed and engine speed required by the task not only reduces CO 2 emissions, but benefits operators by way of reduced stress, improved safety and a more secure working area. Another large firm has cut fuel use by 5% as a whole, and 12% at one site, or about litres for ten machines. At the same time, the companies concerned benefit from faster job completion. Fuel savings ranging from 5 to 30%, with associated benefits of improved operator awareness of what the training is trying to achieve, from better business efficiency to reduced fuel use and CO 2 output. 22 CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions

23 Operation Efficiency Inform, train and teach in process management Machinery efficiency in the whole process of farming is the primary path to reduced fuel consumption and, consequently, reduced CO 2 emissions. Professional driver courses and training can help achieve this. Choosing the right machinery for a process does not automatically minimise CO 2 emissions. The wide variety of different machines used on a farm and their increasing complexity make training crucial. But much of agriculture s business is transportation, mostly carried out with tractor-trailer combinations. Education and training can help drivers to learn the best way to use brakes, throttle and gears to minimise fuel use, as well as ensuring machines are set-up, ballasted and serviced to operate at peak performance. New systems allow operators to adjust tyre pressures so they can be lowered in the field, increasing ground contact, traction and fuel efficiency. Operator training and education also helps drivers to choose the optimum machine combination for specific conditions, taking into account crop requirements, soil type, erosion sensitivity and weather conditions. Professional driver courses have been shown to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%. CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions 23

24 Alternative Energy Sources Examples Hybrid drivetrain technology of a compaction roller Pure plant oils Dedicated hybrid excavator Battery and fuel-cell, a dream coming through Energy storage cylinder for excavators Electric excavators and material handlers

25 Alternative Energy Sources Hybrid drivetrain technology of a compaction roller Lower fuel consumption and less CO 2 emitted, in addition to lower noise levels. In addition to the usual conventional drive components, the hybrid roller has an electric motor generator, a high-capacity battery and associated electronics. Operation is simple and efficient: the battery is charged in generator mode e.g. when braking (reversing) or during vibration shutdown using the difference between the power generated by the engine and the power take-up. Any unused power is stored. Power peaks are levelled out when the electric motor takes power from the battery when switching on vibration or during acceleration, for example. Using this system reduces the size of engine required, lowering CO 2 output in itself. At the same time, the engine always operates at optimum performance and efficiency, which lowers fuel consumption and associated CO 2 emissions significantly. When used on compaction rollers, hybrid drivetrain technology results in significant savings of up to 30% in fuel consumption and a comparable reduction of CO 2 emissions. CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions 25

26 Alternative Energy Sources Pure plant oils To create a clean fuel supply system for mobile working machinery by complete replacement of fossil fuels. Pure plant oil is one of the most promising of all renewable fuel sources, particularly for agricultural applications, where pure vegetable oil could play a key role in future farming strategies. And production of such oils offers spin-off benefits rapeseed crushed for plant oil can then be used as a livestock protein feed. The crop therefore provides an integrated solution for feed, food and fuel production. Besides the obviously broad ecological benefits due to its low carbon footprint, pure vegetable oil offers an enormous economic potential for agricultural farms in the field of energy production. This is especially true in decentralised supply chains or for fuel self-supply in farms. The fossil fuel-derived CO 2 reduction potential for fully refined plant oil, at a minimum 57%, is one of the highest of all cold-pressed plant oil biofuels. 26 CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions

27 Alternative Energy Sources Dedicated hybrid excavator To improve the fuel efficiency of 360-degree excavators. One of the latest developments in 360-degree excavator design is power that is sourced from a hybrid system, which includes a specifically developed electric swing motor, a power generator motor, a capacitor and a conventional diesel engine. The system has been developed to work on the principle of energy regeneration from the machine s swinging action and energy storage using an ultra capacitor, which provides fast energy storage and instantaneous power transmission. The kinetic energy generated during the swing-braking phase of the machine, when it pivots and then stops in order to dump earth or dig in a different place, is converted to electricity, which is sent through an inverter and then captured by the ultra capacitor. This captured energy is then discharged very quickly for use in rotation and to assist the engine as commanded by the hybrid controller when required for moving the digging boom. Fuel savings of up to 25% have been recorded from use of the system, with associated CO 2 emission reductions. Turning of the upper structure Electric swing motor/generator Recovers energy during swing braking. Inverter Capacitor Efficiently and instantaneously stores and discharges electric energy. Electric power assistance during engine acceleration for work equipment operation Power generator/motor Utilizes electricity from the capacitor to assist engine acceleration. Engine CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions 27

28 Alternative Energy Sources Battery and fuel-cell powered machines To replace fossil fuels as a power source with renewable (mainly electric) energy. Farmers are increasingly substituting fossil energy sources with self-produced sustainable energy. Regenerative energy for stationary applications is mostly electric power from sources such as biogas, wind and photovoltaic systems. Electric energy is therefore expected to be the key energy form, and since electrification will be an enabler for automation, electric drives, storage devices and electric power supplies have the greatest potential for significant technological benefits. Agricultural equipment manufacturers are researching batteries and fuel cells as carriers for electric energy and the integration of future electro-mobility concepts into medium-sized decentralised rural energy supply systems and electric power grids. The electric energy storage on agricultural production and transport vehicles would support smaller rural electric power grids for renewable energies. A strong positive impact on the development of rural areas and on the improved usage of electric energy from renewable resources will be the result. The development of such a system of power generation has the potential to create energyindependent farming that does not use fossilderived fuels which are positive CO 2 producers. 28 CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions

29 Alternative Energy Sources Energy storage cylinder for excavators To capture wasted energy. This system has been developed initially for materials handling machines of between 30 tonnes and 80 tonnes in weight, with plans to extend its use to both smaller and larger materials handlers. It works by using the force created by lowering the machine s boom to compress a gas in a storage cylinder. When the boom is then raised, this stored energy then assists the action of the boom s two hydraulic lifting rams, meaning less demand is placed on the engine. The system is designed as a separate entity for use on the machine, with no need for the addition of complex additional installations such as separate storage devices. Depending on the application the machine is being used for, potential fuel savings are as high as 20% per hour. CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions 29

30 Alternative Energy Sources Electric excavators and material handlers Increasing the efficiency of excavators and material handlers by replacing diesel engines with highly-efficient electric motors. The combination of new, efficient material handlers with a pure electric drive, with no combustion engine, leads to significantly higher overall efficiency. Such electric machines are connected to the public power network and produce zero local CO 2 emissions, maximising efficiency from the energy source to the machine. The application is not limited to stationary machines, as semi-stationary machines, like crawler excavators, can use this technique as well. This solution is much more effective than, for example, electric cars, which have to carry heavy batteries. This system results in 100% local C0 2 reduction, and 100% total CO 2 reduction when using renewable energy sources to produce the electricity. Even where this is not the case, reduction is still in the region of 10-15%. 30 CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions

31 Notes CECE and CEMA optimising our industry to reduce emissions 31

32 CECE Committee for European Construction Equipment Diamant Building Bd A. Reyers Ln 80 BE-1030 Brussels Belgium Phone: Fax: secretariat@cece.eu Website: CEMA European Agricultural Machinery Diamant Building Bd A. Reyers Ln 80 BE-1030 Brussels Belgium Phone: Fax: secretariat@cema-agri.org Website: DESIGN: MONAD.BE